"Sotka" was considered an "indestructible" machine. She was popular in the criminal environment and in commercial security structures. The car is easy to see in action films filmed in Russia and post-Soviet countries in the "zero years".
In the early 2000s, a huge number of “gray” units were imported into the country, most of them were already used.
The problem is that it is difficult to buy a copy with a small run-over in the car markets. Even relatively new models dashed off 200 thousand km. Instances of the first years of production often crossed the line of 300 and even fantastic 500 thousand km according to this indicator.
Although the manufacturer invested in the Land Cruiser 100 a double margin of safety, but 20 years of service and a mileage of half a million kilometers is a lot. With such an intensive service, the metal gets tired and the previously trouble-free car begins to “please” the owner with a stream of breakdowns.
The second unpleasant feature of the increased popularity of an SUV is an excessively high price. Up to 1 million rubles, you can only take a car that has driven 350-500 thousand km, and the first years of production. And even then they ask for such 800-850 thousand rubles. For 1,5 million, you can take a model of 15 years of age and with a range of 200 thousand km. To purchase a relatively new copy with good preservation, you need to prepare at least 2 million rubles.
these are the amounts today they are asking for used "hundreds". Photo: auto.ru
Official dealers prefer not to contact Toyota LC. Most sales go through car markets
Toyota Land Cruiser 105 version
It should be noted that in addition to "Sotka", the Toyota Land Cruiser 105 variant was imported into our country. In fact, the model is a Land Cruiser 80, but with an LC100 body. Such machines were produced for utilitarian use. They served in the police of a number of countries, the army, etc. But they also got to private traders. Such SUVs were imported into Russia by ferrymen. They were taken by those who wanted to buy Kruzak cheaply, they were also bought for subsequent tuning.
Such suspension travel will be the envy of many SUVs. Photo: youtube.com
Feature - simplified equipment, manual transmission in the version with a gasoline engine. Even now, such models can be found on hand in good condition due to gentle operation.
Also, the LC105 series is distinguished by a 4,5-liter gasoline unit and a derated diesel engine.
Engine and transmission
The SUV was equipped with a 6-liter 4,2-cylinder diesel engine with several power modifications. "Ironheart" is reliable, but sensitive to the quality of oil and fuel. Oil needs to be changed after 10 thousand km. Every 40-50 thousand km require valve adjustment, a new timing belt should be installed after 80-100 thousand km.
When buying, you need to check the operation of the cooling system. If it fails, the turbine quickly fails. A sign that an engine needs or will soon need a major overhaul is increased oil consumption.
The design of the Toyota Land Cruiser 100 is still attractive. Photo: youtube.com
It is difficult to find a trouble-free diesel on the LC100, it is better to pay attention to the gasoline versions. Most often, an 8-cylinder 2UZ engine was installed on an SUV. Its power is 235 liters. With. The engine has a huge resource of 500 thousand km with good care. Compared to diesel, it is less sensitive to the quality of engine oil and fuel. But the valves also need to be adjusted regularly every 50 thousand km, and the timing belt needs to be changed after 80 thousand. When performing these simple preventive operations and if you do not pour frankly low-quality fuels and lubricants and prevent the engine from overheating, then it may well provide a mileage of more than half a million kilometers.
The presence of a manual transmission indicates that the car was imported into the country unofficially. Basically, she comes across on the utilitarian version of 105.
On early models until 2002, there is a 4-speed automatic transmission, on later models - a 5-speed. The units are reliable, the new one runs about 250 thousand km, the old one - a little more, but with gentle operation and a mandatory oil change after 60 thousand km.
But a manual transmission will pass half a million kilometers without any complaints. It is difficult to break, even driving off-road. The clutch can withstand up to 200 thousand km.
All-wheel drive requires attention. Problems can also come to light with frequent off-road use of the machine and when driving only on roads. In the second case, the mechanisms tend to turn sour. In order for the transmission to behave reliably, the oil in the transfer case should be changed after 50 thousand km. Cardan shafts need to be injected regularly during maintenance.
Notice the wheels. If the car has large off-road tires, then this affects the resource of the crosses, it is almost halved.
Body
The body on the Toyota Land Cruiser 100 is pretty good. It is necessary to check the edges of the hood, doors and trunk - rust usually appears there first of all.
Versions sold in the Middle East and North Africa did not have body protection, if the car is imported from these countries, it is better not to take it.
It is advisable to check the car by VIN. If it is not readable or missing, you may have an “Arab” in front of you.
Other problem areas
Brakes require attention. The machine is heavy, the elements of the brake system are subject to significant overheating. Knowing this problematic place, the security services that operated the Kruzaks as escort vehicles subjected the brakes to tuning. In general, it is better not to take cars with such refinement - there is a possibility that other problems will also come up, security guards do not spare their cars.
Without corrosion, 15-year-old cars practically do not exist. Photo: youtube.com
It is better not to consider a car with hydraulic suspension. It is found only in top versions. The system is capricious, requires close attention, sensors tend to fail. It is advisable not to mess with such models at all, especially since they ask a lot for them.
Suspension, shock absorbers, steering withstand more than 150 thousand km. It is quite possible that with a run of about 200 thousand km, they are still native. But then soon they will have to change.
Summing up
There are many offers, but a worthy copy will have to be searched for a long time and carefully. It is better to choose among newer cars with mileage up to 250 thousand km, models that have rolled over half a million kilometers do not look worth buying. In addition, the history of the car can be very rich, many copies have passed through more than one hand.
Diesel is definitely not worth taking, gasoline versions in most cases are better preserved. If you plan to use the car off-road, try to find LC105 with "mechanics", and look for cars that were used in cities. Even now there are copies with one owner and in good condition. But even here you need to carefully examine all the problem areas. It is also advisable not to take Kruzaks owned by legal entities.
The speedometer is not a criterion. They know how to twist it perfectly, so look at the condition of the interior and its elements.
